Hey there! So, I started writing this after the second episode but it's taken me so long to actually consider putting it up here on the web. After watching the pilot back in March, I was completely enamored by Danny and Lacey's dynamic and their unspoken connection that I had to create a story for them. Please note that this story probably won't follow the same plot line. That being said, I hope you enjoy the first installment. :)
Lacey turned her iHome down, the soft melody of her 'easy listening' mix dying as she made her way from the living room to the front foyer. She heard a knock on the door and was somewhat surprised, seeing that Sarita never woke up before one of the weekends and Archie had soccer practice every Saturday morning. Lacey glanced at her reflection in the mirror, wiped the small beads of sweat away from her nose, and opened the door.
"Jo." Lacey stated, folding her arms and staring down at the small, grungy looking girl she used to call her best friend. Lacey tried to hide her grimace as she took in Jo's disheveled appearance. Her hair was usually a mess and she normally wore that oversized, ill green jacket every day.
"Hey, Lacey," Jo smiled awkwardly, waving. Lacey waited for Jo to continue but the latter stood there as if she were expecting an invitation to speak.
"Well?" Lacey asked irritably. "Are you going to say something? You came here, you know?"
Jo furrowed her brow and bit the inside of her cheek. "Uh, yeah," She started, looking down into the palms of her hands. "I heard you went to that Regina grieving session thing. How was it?"
Lacey rolled her eyes at Jo trying to beat around the bush but since it pertained to Regina—and Lacey was never one to disrespect the dead with bad karma and all that—she responded. "It was fine." She knew she didn't fully utilize the grieving session properly but she went to appease Archie and to clean up the mess she was causing in their relationship.
"I bet!" Jo piped up. "You know, it's a great thing…speaking your mind. It can alleviate stress and it seems to me you have a lot of stress." Jo's eyes narrowed as her words stung against Lacey's skin.
"Jo," Lacey started, taking a step forward to reinforce the hierarchy that was established between the two over the last five years. "Are you forgetting how things work around here now? Since Danny's back, you think you're all Nancy Drew, sleuthing around to place Regina's murder on someone else. Let me tell you something: I have no idea what happened that night. I was drinking and yeah, I remember going to Danny's house but I also fell asleep. Who knows what he could have done while I was asleep? So, don't think my testimony is going to set Socio free."
Jo recoiled slightly and she crossed her arms over her chest in defiance. "But it could help." Jo stated firmly. Lacey began to grow annoyed with Jo's constant persistence. She was like a dog, loyal to anyone who showed some her promise and attention. "When did you get so selfish? When did helping someone become uncool in your little world? What are you afraid of? What could be so incriminating to you that you won't go down to that precinct and tell my dad that you were with Danny the night Regina died?"
Lacey drew in her breath and straightened her back. "I don't want to hear this right now. I would appreciate it if you could come back to grill me after 11 AM." Lacey snapped, placing her hands to cup the sides of her face.
"That's great, Lace; run away from the problem like you always do." Jo shook her head. "You're weak. Are you afraid of what Archie's going to think, knowing that you spent the night 'sleeping' at Danny's house?" Jo started. Her eyes were narrowed and her voice hissed with venom. "If you're afraid of him leaving you for that, maybe your relationship wasn't that great to begin with."
Lacey's hand clutched in a fist and she willed herself not to slap Jo right across the face. "We're done here." Lacey smiled, placing her hand on door to get ready to shut it. "Jo, don't come to my house and question my character or my relationship because that will be the last time you'll be doing any type of talking." Lacey threatened, shutting the door in Jo's face.
Lacey's pulse started to race and her mind was scattered. The hour of yoga mixed with pilates she was just doing couldn't calm her. She had to get out of the house right away. Lacey raced up the stairs and into the bathroom, taking a quick shower. She hastily put together a black outfit: black peplum top and a pair of black faux leather leggings with black booties. Lacey did a quick once over and grimaced at how lifeless her face looked. Her fingers fumbled over the vanity filled with makeup products. "What even possesses a person to do something like that?" Lacey questioned herself. "She doesn't know me. She hasn't known me in a long time. Who is she to question my actions?"
Lacey couldn't make sense of Jo's inappropriate behavior. Why did Lacey have to come into the station and testify for Danny? He was doing fine. He didn't need her and she didn't need him. Lacey poked herself in the eye with her eyeliner and swore under her breath as she cleaned up her mess. "Damn Danny Desai, you're ruining everything." She mumbled under her breath.
Lacey debated driving to the soccer field but she thought the fresh air would clear her head though walking would cause her feet to hurt drastically. She headed up her street, turning at the corner to Main Street. It was pretty low key, not too busy. The local coffee shop was opening and Lacey could smell the freshly brewed cups getting handed to deprived souls. Lacey tried to convince herself not to go into the coffee shop but she couldn't resist.
The doors jingled as she entered and the smell of ground coffee beans greeted her nose. Lacey tapped her fingers on the counter while the cashier placed scones in the display case. "Morning, what can I do for you?" The girl asked.
"Uh, black Americano with an extra shot of espresso." Lacey ordered, thinking she should order something for Archie but it would be cold by the time she made it over there.
"That'll be four fifty." The cashier said, taking Lacey's debit card from her hand, swiping it. She took slow deep breaths; she knew once she saw Archie, he would say something funny or stupid to make her laugh and forget about this whole situation with Jo and Danny and Regina and murder. She broke out of her thoughts when she was handed a cup of piping hot coffee. "Thanks," Lacey offered the cashier a weak smile before turning on her heel.
She wasn't paying much attention to the door but when she heard the familiar jingle of the doorbells, Lacey looked up and nearly choked. Danny was walking into the coffee shop. She couldn't even pretend that she didn't see him since she let out a small squeal and his eyes were locked on hers. Why did he always show up at the most random times?
"Lacey," Danny said warmly, giving her a smile.
Lacey straightened herself out. She couldn't let him know that he made her nervous. She was in the one in control, not him. "Well if it isn't the devil himself."
Danny ran his fingers through his hair, which wasn't tied back like it usually was. "From Socio to the devil; how many nicknames do you have for me, Lace?" Danny laughed.
"Stick around and I may come up with some more." Lacey replied, trying to be threatening but something about being around him made Lacey feel lighthearted and free…like she was a child again. She caught herself smiling at him and he was easily reciprocating. "Well, I have to go." Lacey blurted out, trying to get around him.
"Alright, have a great day." Danny waved at her. "You look nice, by the way." He pointed out, eyeing her.
Lacey blushed, looking down at her clothes. "Thanks, I mean I just sort of threw it on." Lacey giggled before snapping her mouth shut. "No," She pointed her finger. "No, stop doing that."
Danny furrowed his brow in confusion. "I don't get it." He replied simply.
"Stop making me want to talk to you! Stop making me want to laugh with you! I'm trying really hard to be mad at you, Danny, and you're making things really difficult." Lacey explained.
Danny bowed his head while he grinned. "Alright, Lacey," He obliged.
"Tell your watchdog to stop coming to my house." Lacey added.
"I'm allergic." Danny toyed, his lips quirking into a crooked smile that Lacey couldn't help but be mesmerized with.
Lacey bit back a smile. "You haven't spoken to her?" She inquired, taking a sip of her coffee.
"You're the first person I've talked to all morning." Danny confessed, looking up at her with his deep brown, brooding eyes. His voice echoed in her ears until it was the only thing she could focus on. "What happened?"
Lacey shook her head. "I'm sure she'll tell you later."
"But I want you to tell me…maybe over lunch?" Danny asked.
Was he asking her out on a date? He couldn't. He knew she was dating someone. She wasn't going to say yes. She couldn't say yes. How would that make her look? She could see the school blogs now: Queen Lacey schlepping with resident Socio. "Uh, I can't." Lacey replied quickly, offering a fake smile.
"Because you're afraid of me or because of your boyfriend?" Danny questioned bluntly.
Though she didn't want to believe it, Danny wasn't as menacing as the town made him out to be. In the back of her mind, Danny was still just goofy, eleven year old Danny from down the block. However, it seemed like that goofy Danny was masked by this tall, intriguing, hot guy in front of her and she couldn't trust herself around him. The last time they were alone, they almost kissed. Lacey couldn't let that happen again. "Because I already made plans with Sarita," Lacey lied. "We'll do a rain check, maybe?" She didn't actually mean it wholeheartedly but she thought it would be polite to make it seem that way.
Danny laughed at her obvious insincerity but nodded at her offer. "Alright, Lace. I'll see you around." Danny waved her goodbye. "You do really look lovely today…radiant even."
Lacey stared at him, feeling her stature lean closer to him at his sultry voice and sugared compliments. Archie never said anything like that; it was always something slightly misogynistic or derogatory. Danny's eyes quickly flickered to her lips and back to meet her eyes. "See you around, Lace." He repeated, smiling because he knew what he was doing to her.
Lacey cleared her throat and nodded. "Yeah," She walked past him, tempted to look back at him but she wasn't willing to grant him the satisfaction.
How did you guys enjoy this? Feel free to leave comments and reviews. I love hearing predictions and things of that nature so if I hear something I like, it may just end up in chapters to come. xx